Manx (Ryan Doughman) Harbormaster has passed away

My wonderful father passed from a pulmonary embolism on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Known affectionately as Manx Harbormaster by those of us who loved him, my Dad was the “Harbormaster of The Port” a fictional location in the middle of the high desert so named by an organization called the Society for Creative Anachronism. A creative soul, my Dad was also a musician who performed as a bassist in local 

bands playing in Santa Fe venues. Music and his left-handed Rickenbacker remained essential elements throughout his fifty-five year 

life. 

My dad came to New Mexico with his parents, Robin and Connie Doughman, at the age of six. The family settled in Lamy where Ryan 

grew, became a master craftsman and ultimately a full partner in what 

would become the family’s flourishing architectural design and woodworking business situated not more than ten feet from the family 

home. For close to half a century, Rock Ridge Studios was a leading design and woodworking enterprise throughout New Mexico and the 

American Southwest. Over the decades, our family left its artistic mark on a wide range of hotels, businesses, and homes including Santa Fe’s Loretto Hotel and Albuquerque’s Rio Grande Inn. In addition to a line of furniture reflective of the Design Arts of the West, Rock Ridge Studios became known for its iconic handcrafted screen doors.

Two years ago upon the death of my grandfather Robin Doughman, my Dad filled the formidable shoes and legacy left by his father. He carried 

Rock Ridge Studios through the transition and continued to provide quality workmanship and expertly crafted wood products. In late 

summer 2021, a severe injury to a disk in the fifth lumbar region of his spine made it impossible for my Dad to work. This debilitating medical condition resulted in a total loss of business and income throughout the Fall. More critically, the forced physical inactivity created blood clots in his leg and chest which ultimately resulted in a pulmonary embolism that caused my Dad’s sudden and unexpected death.

Without my father, my grandmother Connie and I are faced with the very 

real crisis of holding on to the family home. Built with their own hands, our Lamy home has been our foundation, our haven, our refuge, our port in the storm for my grandparents, my Dad and me. It is the placewhere my family created thousands of pieces of beautiful art, cabinetry, 

furniture, doors, and screen doors. In addition, we trained three generations of wild Spanish Mustangs on the family ranch including, 

Cacatriz, Ruby, and Arapaho. It is my prayer, that with the death of my Dad we will not lose our family’s legacy. 

I am asking your help over the winter months to help pay the mortgage 

and other bills, giving my grandmother and I the time and emotional space to regroup and restructure Rock Ridge Studios to continue our 

life here in this beautiful place. Any donations to help put my dad to rest and restore the family business will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.